Lack of coordination between utility companies, and the ’emergency’ permitting system need to be addressed, an inquiry has concluded
A raft of measures to limit the impact of street works has been called for by the Transport Committee in its report into an issue that causes severe disruption to bus services.
Following its “Managing the impact of street works” inquiry, the Committee of MPs noted the delays, cost implications and reduced accessibility associated with the digging up of the roads.
Although noting that such maintenance was necessary, the report urged the government to crack down on utility companies that over-ran on such work and did not communicate effectively.
A lack of collaboration between service providers to coordinate work is seen to be prominent among the causes of excess disruption. To this end, the MPs called on the Department for Transport (DfT) to rectify the situation in which there is no requirement for utility companies to share their plans to undertake works.
Consideration should be made to making this mandatory “at the earliest opportunity”, they said.
DfT should also take action to limit the inappropriate use of “emergency permits”, the report said.
The current guarantee period for reinstatements after works of two to three years should be extended to five years, as considered in a 2019 DfT consultation, it further said.
Companies should also be incentivised to complete work before the end of the window provided for in the permit, MPs added.
“Lane rental schemes” have proven effective, but the report encourages the Department to support more local authorities to employ the tool.
At the inquiry, Confederation of Passenger Transport Operations Director Keith McNally gave evidence that street works caused excessive delays, lengthened journeys and led to confusion for passengers.
Measures to address the impact on accessibility around street works were also called for. The inquiry had heard how bus users’ access to bus stops was affected.
In response to the publication of the report, Mr McNally says in a statement: “Street works are a massive source of frustration for bus passengers. Too many buses are delayed and diverted by utilities digging up roads at short notice with little regard for disruption.
“Delays and cancellations from street works have contributed to a 13.5% real terms in increase in bus operators’ costs per mile since 2019 – a cost that is inevitably passed on to passengers.
“The bus industry backs the Transport Committee’s recommendations.
“We urge the Government to crack down on street works carried out under ‘emergency’ permits when they aren’t really emergencies.”
